NWSA Symphony Orchestra and world-renowned pianist Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy join musical forces to showcase the stirring music of Dvorak and Grieg

on 22 February 2013.

MIAMI--- Two champions of romantic nationalism will be interpreted by the New World School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra in a concert on February 20th, 2013. Maestro Alfred Gershfeld will conduct Dvorak’s Joyous 8th Symphony, a work celebrating the composer’s appointment to the Bohemian Academy of Emperor Franz Joseph for the Encouragement of Arts and Literature. Additionally, the prizewinner of the Walter Gieseking Competition and the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition, German Phenomenon, Wolfram Schmitt Leonardy, will offer his American debut performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor.

The NWSA Symphony Concert will take place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, February 20, at 7:30 PM. 1300 Biscayne Boulevard, downtown Miami.

General Admission seating is $20. Student and seniors is $10. Tickets and information:www.arshtcenter.orgor the box office: 305-949-6722.

One of the leading pianists of his generation Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy has enjoyed a career that has spanned the globe. He has performed on radio and television throughout Europe and Asia and with such notable ensembles as the Melos Quartet, the Rodin Quartet, the Amati Quartet, and the Philharmonia Quartett. Orchestral performances include appearances with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin SymphonyOrchestra, the Philharmonia Hungarica, the Philharmonia of the Nations, the Philharmonie de Lorraine, and the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra among others. Schmitt-Leonardy has recorded 2 albums for Bayer records featuring works by Tchaikovsky, Gershwin and Kabalevsky and 6 critically-acclaimed releases for the Brilliant Classics record label, including the world premiere recording of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd symphony transcribed for piano and orchestra. Mr. Schmitt-Leonardy triumphs in international competition including the Walter Gieseking Competition and the International Piano Competition Sergej Rachmaninoff.

Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy has served on the faculty of the prestigious École Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot in Paris Since 2007 and since2010 at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich. He is the chairman of the jury for the prestigious International Piano Forum German Piano Award. This performance is Mr. Schmitt-Leonardy’s American debut.

Maestro Alfred Gershfeld holds advanced degrees in conducting and violin performance from the Kishnev and Moscow Conservatories in the former SovietUnion. Prior to immigrating to the United States, Maestro Gershfeld was conductor of the Moldavian Chamber and Symphony Orchestras and the Moscow Bolshoi Theater. In 1977 he was elected Honored Artist of the Moldavian Republic. He has returned frequently to Moscow to conduct. Currently Alfred Gershfeld serves as Associate Professor of Conducting and Director of Orchestras at the New World School of the Arts in Miami. He has appeared as guest conductor in many cities and universities throughout the United States and Europe. He has conducted several performances of Russian opera for the Sarasota Opera Association. He is the composer of the children's opera "Karlson on the Roof" which received its U.S. premiere performance at the Sarasota Opera House.

Gershfeld is also the Director of the Anna Maria Island Community Orchestra and Chorus, has been the Principal Conductor of the Alhambra Community Orchestra since 2009, and has served as Artistic Director of the Lake Placid Sinfonietta. He has appeared as guest conductor at the Jerusalem Academy of Music, the New York Music Festival, the Quad Cities Symphony, the Eastman School of Music, the Miami City Ballet, and the Naples Philharmonic. At New World School of the Arts (NWSA), Miami’s premiere eight-year arts conservatory, music students receive one-on-one instruction from accomplished musicians and grow throughdisciplined guidance and training as they develop their personal style and repertoire. Through its educational partnerships, NWSA’s audition-based programs, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art, Dance, Music and Theater, offer the high school diploma as well as the BFA and BM college degrees. Areas of concentration in Music include:composition, performance, instrumental, piano, strings and voice.

New World School of the Arts was created by the Florida Legislature in 1984as a center of excellence in the performing and visual arts. It is an educational partnership of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College and the University of Florida.

About

New World School of the Arts was created by the Florida Legislature in 1984 as a center of excellence in the performing and visual arts. It is an educational partnership of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College, and the University of Florida.